Maybe I just have really beefy legs, but I can't cross my legs for more than a minute or so without my kneecap painfully digging into my other leg. Is there some special technique? Until the 90s both men and women crossed their legs regularly, so there must be some way to do it.

it's just something I always did subconsciously but maybe trying crossing them the other way. One way feels less comfortable for me.

I don't think your kneecap should be digging into your other leg, maybe you should try swapping positions like Serenation mentioned. When I cross my legs, my left knee is at the bottom right and the right knee is on the top left with the leg crossing before the kneecap. If you lift the leg that is on top a bit more higher, it hopefully wont be as painful. Sometimes it depends on what you're wearing as well that can cause discomfort.

I think it has something to do with the size of the thighs. You said yours were quite beefy and I've rarely ever seen larger women cross their legs. Seems more the domain of the skinny from what I've observed.

Never really thought about it actually, I cross mine with the upper leg crossed a little further over the knee, so the back of the knee and other knee cap never try and sit in each other.... if that makes sense

Katy xx

When I cross my legs, like Katrina, I go past the knee and have my upper leg resting above and beside the knee instead of one directly on top of the knee.
In my opinion, if you cannot cross the legs that far, you could try instead of crossing right onto the patella, cross right beside it so to rest your upper leg as per the head of the tibia(?)

Kate <3

Quote from: Ms Grace on September 28, 2015, 05:34:29 AM
I think it has something to do with the size of the thighs. You said yours were quite beefy and I've rarely ever seen larger women cross their legs. Seems more the domain of the skinny from what I've observed.

this I think is what makes the difference. I'm pretty skinny and can cross them just fine.

I can double-cross my legs, but I heard that crossing legs is not good for your backbone health, as we sit in asymmetry when crossing legs, and tend to use one side only.

There is a Facebook page for double crossing.

https://www.facebook.com/Double-crossed-legs-411374372357842/timeline/

barbie~~

I feel I should explain more, when I try I get my right leg over the left one, a couple inches back from the kneecap, but the tension in my legs pulls the right one back to where ti was and my knee digs into my calf, I can hold it with my hands, but that seems very involved.

You probably just lack flexibility.  I don't think thigh size is a big issue though.  I still have fairly muscular thighs at 24 inches and can cross my legs comfortably.


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That could be, I'm a marathon runner (Just finished my 9th) and it's better not to be flexible (you want springy muscles).

Quote from: barbie on October 02, 2015, 11:16:04 AM
I can double-cross my legs, but I heard that crossing legs is not good for your backbone health, as we sit in asymmetry when crossing legs, and tend to use one side only.

There is a Facebook page for double crossing.

https://www.facebook.com/Double-crossed-legs-411374372357842/timeline/

barbie~~

I can do that too, I should take some pics. I don't think I have any of myself in that position. I think it's a beautiful position for modeling. Interesting to see an fb page for that.

Quote from: AnamethatstartswithE on October 02, 2015, 11:41:18 AM
That could be, I'm a marathon runner (Just finished my 9th) and it's better not to be flexible (you want springy muscles).

Before I started yoga, I always crossed my legs like a guy.   Foot on the other knee, like a triangle.  After about a year of yoga I could cross like a woman pretty easily.  Yoga does a lot of hip opening.  Now after after 6 years I can double cross my legs.  With that said when I was 15 pounds lighter and lost muscle mass, It definitely was easier.

Take care,
Paige

ooh ooh ooh,
I think I've actually figured out the secret. After crossing my leg over I point my foot upwards, such that my toes are closer to my shin, and then I slightly twist my foot towards my centerline, it tenses the inside part of the calf muscle so it forms a hard surface and the knee doesn't dig in.

Just ago, I took photos of double crossing my legs

barbie~~

cirque du soleil called, and they want you in their act; nicely done.

Showoff 

Quote from: barbie on October 03, 2015, 12:21:45 PM
Just ago, I took photos of double crossing my legs

barbie~~

Quote from: AnamethatstartswithE on October 03, 2015, 12:43:50 PM
Showoff 

Exactly!

barbie~~

Quote from: barbie on October 03, 2015, 12:21:45 PM
Just ago, I took photos of double crossing my legs

barbie~~

I tried that once. They had to bring the jaws of life.

After years of ballet, I am also able to double cross my legs.  I think its less about thighs and knees and more about flexibility at the hip - the ability to "release" the joint to provide extra range of motion.   Moot point tho - sounds like you have it!